Carton



y 1936 A. INMAN 2,041,609

CARTON Filed Jan. 9, 1932 25 4 represents an end view of the carton with its Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to cartons and more particularly to egg cartons.

An object of the present invention, is to provide a collapsible carton formed from a minimum amount of sheet material, which carton possesses a higher degree of strength and provides a substantial amount of cushioned protection for the eggs contained therein.

Another object of the invention, is to provide a carton having transverse partitions formed integrally with the main portion of the carton, and cooperating with the V-shaped bottom of the carton Where they are held in this co-operating relation by a longitudinal partition engaging the carton bottom.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, reference is made to the drawing in which Fig. 1 represents a blank which may be folded to form certain of the walls of a carton and. certain of the transverse partitions forming a part thereof; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal partition blank which co-operates with'the transverse partitions and with the bottomof the carton blank of Fig. 1

to hold these parts in position for'use; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carton ready for use; Fig.

cover in closed positir n; and Fig. 5 is a top-view of the carton in its collapsed condition.

Referring especially to Fig. 1, there is represented a blank of cardboard or other suitable sheet material including latch strip 6, cover I, rear section 8, bottom section 9, front section II), transverse partitions II and fastening strip I 2. It will be noted that the latch strip 6 and the cover 1 are-defined by a line of scoringl3, while the line of scoring l4 defines the cover with respect to the rear section 8. Lines of scoring l5 and. I 6 define the bottom section with respect to the sections 8 and ID. The bottom section is provided with a series of I interconnecting kerfs I! which provide depressible tabs to form a cushioned depression in each cell for receiving an egg, or other articles to be packed therein. The bottom sectionis alsoprovided with a longitudinal line of scoring l8 to permit the central portion of the bottom section to be elevated, thereby providing two inclined portions joined at this line of scoring. There is also provided along the scoring. line It in the bottom section, several U--shaped slits I9 which also define retaining tongues 20, the purpose of which will be further set forth. The transverse partitions II are out free from the remainder of the blank except that the upper corners 2| of each partition is integral with triangular connecting pieces 22 which are also integral with the section [0 and fastening strip l2, being connected through the material sqored at 23. Each triangular portion is also provided with a line of scoring or fold line 24 extending from its free margin to its opposite apex. Although three lines of scoring, 2|, 23, and 24, are provided in the connecting pieces 22, it will be understood that these lines of scoring are merely provided for convenience in assembling the carton, and that the sheet material may be so selected that it is readily foldable at the desired points even in the absence of scoring.

In Fig. 2 there is shown a longitudinal partition generally designated 34 which partition is provided with vertical end slots 25 and intermediate vertical slots 26 which slots may engage the notches 3|, and the intermediate portions of the transverse partitions II at the lines of scoring 29. The entrances to the end slots 25 are restricted by retaining tongues 21 which enter the notches 32 and engage the material of their respective transverse partitions to lock the partition 34 in place. 'The partition 34 is also provided with a plurality of downwardly extending tongues 28 which are insertable into the slits l9 in the bottom section by bending the tongues 28 to conform to the shapes of the slits. After these tongues have been inserted in these slits, the ends are straightened out and the tabs 20 hold the tongues 28 in interlocking position, thereby, holding the several parts of the carton in position ready for use.

In completing the carton ready for shipment, the blank is folded into rectangular form along the lines of scoring l4, l5, l6 and the scoring lines 23 of the triangular portions at both sides of the transverse partitions; the fastening strip l2 has its free edge turned downward and this strip is then gluedor otherwise fastened such as by wire stitching, to the back section 8. The transverse partitions are then folded downward at right angles to the bottom section 9 by folding on the lines of scoring 2|, thereafter, the iongitudinal partition 34 is placed into position by inserting the transverse partitions into the slots 25 and 26, where 'the tongues 21 at the entrance to the end slots 25 engage the material of the end transverse partitions to hold the partition 34 inplace.

With the parts thus formed, the carton may be collapsed into fiat condition (as shown in Fig. 5) by folding the portions of the bottom section 9 along the lineof scoring l8 away from the remainder of the carton and by moving the longitudinal partition 34 to the left while doubling both portions of each transverse partition II toward each other along the line of scoring 29. With the carton in this fiat condition, as shown in Fig. 5, it may be shipped to the ultimate consumer who can form thecarton as shown in Fig. 3, merely by moving the longitudinal partition 24 to the right until both portions of each of the transverse partitions are in alinement and thereafter, the tongues 28 on the longitudinal partition are inserted through the slots IS in the bottom section of the carton which has been raised to the position as shown in Fig. 4. It has been mentioned that the tongues are inserted through the U-shaped slots l9, while the end portions of each tongue are to conform to the slot and after they have been inserted the ends thereof are straightened out to engage the material of the bottom where the tabs 20 hold them locked in place. It will be noted that the longitudinal partition 3| has cut out portions 30 which permit the eggs or other articles of the individual cells to be displayed within the carton while suflicient material is retained in the upper portion of this partition to act as a support for the cover section I as shown in Fig. 4-. The locking strip 6 has hook-shaped tongues 3| which are adapted to engage the triangular connecting pieces 22 at the front of the carton so that the cover may be locked in closed position as shown in Fig. 4.

What I claim is:

1. A collapsible carton formed from a single blank, scored to provide a top, side sections, a bottom section and transverse partitions, said partitions being independent of the material of the blank, except for integral connecting pieces at two of their corners, each connecting piece being bounded by two lines of scoring and being provided with an additional line of scoring defining a told when 'said carton is collapsed, each transverse partition being provided with a line of scoring extending crosswise of the partition along a medial axis, a longitudinal partition engaging said transverse partitions, and means for attaching said longitudinal partition to said bottom section.

g 2. A collapsible carton formed from a single blank, scored to provide a top, side sections, a bottom section, and transverse partitions,'said blank being foldable into rectangular form, said transverse partitions being independent of the material of the blank, except for integral connecting pieces at two of their corners, each connecting piece being bounded by two lines of scoring substantially perpendicular to each other, each connecting piece being provided with an additional line of scoring defining a fold when said carton is collapsed, each transverse partitionbeing provided with a line of scoring extending crosswise of the partition along a medial axis, a longitudinal partition having slots engaging said transverse partitions at the medial line of scoring thereof, and means for attaching said longitudinal partition to said bottom section.

3. A collapsible carton formed from a single blank, scored to provide a top, side sections, a bottom section, and transverse partitions, said blank being foldable into rectangular form, said transverse partitions being cut from the material of the blank, except for integral triangular connecting pieces at two of their corners, each con-- necting piece being bounded by two lines'of scoring. an additional line of scoring on said connecting piece substantially bisecting the same,

tions at the medial line of scoring thereof, and

means for attaching said longitudinal partition to said bottom section.

4. A collapsible carton formed from a single blank, scored to provide a top, a side section, a bottom section, and transverse partitions, said blank being foldable into rectangular form, said transverse partitions being cut from the material of the blank, except for integral triangular connecting pieces at two of their corners, each connecting piece being bounded by two lines of scoring perpendicular to each other and by a free edge, an additional line of scoring formed in each connecting piece-perpendicular to its free edge, each transverse partition being provided with a line of scoring extending crosswise of the partition along a medial axis, a longitudinal partition having slots engaging said transverse partitions at the medial line of scoring thereof, and tongues formed on said longitudinal partition engaging slots in the bottom section.

5. A collapsible carton having top, side sections, transverse partitions, and a bottom section blanked from a single sheet of material, said blank being foldable on parallel lines to form a body portion with the bottom section foldable about a medial fold line, said transverse partitions each having a V-shaped edge foldable into a position to engage said bottom section, a longitudinal partition engaging said transverse partitions, tongues provided on the longitudinal partition to engage slots in said bottom section for holding the bottom section elevated at its medial fold to provide a V-shaped cushioned bottom for the carton, and medial lines of scoring on said transverse partitions extending toward the said bottom section whereby the carton may be folded into fiat position while said longitudinal partition is engaging said transverse partitions, said longitudinal partition having a width from tongues thereon substantially equal to the depth of the carton, whereby a braced carton with a.

V-shaped or cushioned bottom is provided.

6. A collapsible carton formed from sheet material having a top, side sections, a bottom section, a connecting strip and transverse partitions, connecting pieces integrally joining said partitions respectively to said connecting strip and to one of said side sections, said connecting pieces when collapsed being folded between their junctions with said partitions and said side section as well as between their junctions between said partitions and said connecting strip, said bottom section having scoring extending lengthwise along a medial line, said transverse partitions being scored medially along a transverse line and having re-entrant edges foldable into engagement with said bottom section, a longitudinal partition engaging said transverse partitions, and means for holding said bottom section elevated along its medial scoring in a position adjacent the re-entrant edges of said transverse partifoldable, said transverse partitions each having ao acoo a ll-shaped edge foldable into a position adjacent saidbottom section and each having connections with said side sections, a separate longitudinal partition interlocked with said transverse partitions, hooks provided on the longitudinal partition to engage slots in said bottom section for holding the bottom section elevated at its medial fold to providea V-shaped cushioned bottom for the carton, and medial lines of scoring on said transverse partitions extending toward the said bottom section and fold lines on said connections whereby the carton may be folded into flat position, while said longitudinal partition is interlocked with said transverse par- #15 being foldable along fold lines extending substantially centrally thereof from top to bottom and having folding portions connecting said part'itionswith said side swtlons, said bottom section being foldable along a substantially medial longitudinal fold line, a longitudinal partition tom for the carton, said bottom section being also foldable downwardly at said medial fold line thereof, whereby the carton may be folded in a flat position while said longitudinal partition is interlocked with said transverse partitions.

HARRY A. INMAN. 

